Monday, February 26, 2007

Inner MarshI called in briefly to Inner Marsh Farm to see if the reported spotted redshank were about. Unfortuately they were way off in the distance with only a few Teal and Pintail in photographing range.

I always kep an eye open on the way back up to the car park and came across this Dunnock in the brambles

and could not resist a quick shot of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder at the feeding station. It would nice to have got a shot of the bird on a branch or tree trunk but it was not playing that game.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Woodland Feeding StationAt the start of the year myself and a friend set up a feeding station on the edge of some private woodland, follwoing gaining permission for access at the end of last year. The various feeders have been regularly kept filled and there are now plenty of birds of many species arriving. The other day I gave it a short test with the camera for the first time with many of the birds seeming oblivious to my close presence. Here are the first few shots.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Parkgate FloodI saw the big spring tide come over the salt marsh on the Dee Estuary at Parkgate for the first time. A bird watchers paradise as all the birds have to take flight from the marsh to escape the flooding waters and predators come in to pick off the fleeing rodents. However, a lot of the action is at too far a distance for photography. However, I did still manage to get a couple of shots.

A Mute swan on a fly-by

Water rail flushed from the vegetation try to take cover to avoid being prey. Several were drifting on small floating islands of grass.

Until the island starts to sink !!!

Its not only the birds seeking cover. This field mouse was using a log as a raft.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Snow on the beachI have been waiting all winter for some Snow bunting to be reported locally as they are one species I had on my 'wish' list for this year but they have been scarce with the mild weather. Heard a report of two on the beach at Point of Ayr and went off to investigate. Took a while to find the two male birds as I walked off up the beach in completely the wrong direction!!! The two birds were working along the base of the dunes so where a little shaded from the light which made for some interesting exposure settings.

A dog walker flushed the birds and they end up on the base of the lighthouse where I took a couple more shots before leaving them there.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Back to the hatch

Having located some obliging nuthatch last weekend, I thought I would revisit first thing Sunday morning for another attempt at them. I arrived before light and wandered around the woods placing peanuts and sunflower hearts on various stumps and fallen trees. It took abot 90 minutes before some birds appeared and he light had improved enough. A ringed Great tits appeared first ..

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Saturday Morning SanderlingI really enjoy photographing Sanderling and as I had taken no photographs of them this year, I thought I would pop down to the local beach for an hour this morning. I was little late going which meant I had to put up with the frustration of the dogwalkers disturbing the birds. Found a group of about a dozwn birds working along the edge of the rising tide.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Sunday NuthatchWent out early this morning seeing what was about to photograph. Ended up in some woodland by a fallen tree.,just seeing what turned up to a few peanuts scattered on top. There wasn't much light available and really I should have chosen a better spot. The first arrival a robin

Friday, February 09, 2007

Holiday SnapsI have been thinking about booking a holiday so I thought I would sort through some of last years holdiay photographs to make a compilation. First up was a trip to the NE of Mallorca in April.

Hoopoe in the garden!!!

On the local beach Audouin's Gull

The star for me of the local marshes, the Black-winged Stilt.

Mid-summer found me in Austria. Black Redstart where common around the hotel. Together with their young.

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About Me

I use Canon Equipment for my photography. My current camera bodies are the 1DX, 1D MkIV and 7D mk2. These are primarily used with the 600mm F4 lens. On occasions the 600mm lens is combined with a 1.4X teleconvertor to get some more reach. I also use a 300m F2.8 and 70-200mm F2.8 for closer range work. I take most of my shots either hand held or using a beanbag for support. Occasionally I will use a tripod or monopod but mainly these are used when I am camped up in the hide.
All photographs are shot in RAW format before being taken into Capture 8 Pro and Photoshop for processing.
Most of my photography is undertaken locally on Merseyside, the Wirral and in North Wales but I always like to try and take a camera with me when I travel anywhere, just in case the opportunity arises.
Please remember that the welfare of your subject should always be the starting point of any wildlife photograph.
IF THE PHOTOS DO NOT ALL APPEAR AT FIRST, THEN PLEASE CLICK REFRESH ON YOUR BROWSER.
Thanks for visiting :)